Religion in the Public Sphere
(Master of Arts)
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English B2
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Stay abroad possible, but not obligatory.
Short Description
This master鈥檚 programme focuses on the current debate concerning 鈥渞eligion鈥� in various areas of the public sphere. Geographically, the emphasis is initially on Europe, leading to subsequent international comparisons. This concerns the discourse on 鈥渞eligion鈥� (e.g. exemptions for 鈥渞eligion鈥� in social spheres) as well as discourses on individual religions (e.g. Christianity as 鈥渃ultural heritage鈥�, Islam as a 鈥渃hallenge鈥�, and Buddhism as a 鈥渕odern philosophy of life鈥�). As such, this M.A. in Religion in the Public Sphere differs from many traditional Religious Studies programmes, which tend to focus on religious practice in religious communities.
Students will be prepared to work in a professional environment that addresses these processes and the fruits of multicultural, democratic societies. They learn to analyse different conflict constellations, to address these constellations confidently and constructively, and to develop sustainable, solution-focused strategies.
The degree programme is offered by the Institute for the Study of Religion in cooperation with the Institute of Sociology. A special feature of the programme is that it gives students the option of gaining a double degree instead of just the master鈥檚 degree in Hannover. This is made possible through cooperation with the universities of S枚dert枚rn (Sweden) and Roma Tre (Italy).
Course Content
- Debate concerning 鈥渞eligion鈥� in society and culture
- Debate concerning 鈥渞eligion鈥� in educational contexts, politics and law
- 鈥淩eligion鈥� and 鈥渟ecularity鈥�
- Discursive research into religion
- European perspective and international comparison
The degree programme can be studied as a home track or double degree track. Both tracks focus on the debate concerning 鈥渞eligion鈥� in a variety of social spheres. The debate is exemplified by the three topic modules 鈥淓ducation and Research鈥�, 鈥淧olitics and Law鈥� and 鈥淪ociety and Culture鈥�, which mark different arenas of the public sphere. The underlying theoretical perspective on the thematic area is generated together in the 鈥淚ntroductory Module鈥� and expanded on in the 鈥淩esearch and Debates鈥� module. Students practice using the methodological tools required to empirically research the object of investigation in the 鈥淢ethods鈥� module.
Students from both tracks take the same modules in the first, second and fourth semesters. Students on the double degree track spend their third semester at one of our two partner universities. Students on the home track use this semester to conduct their own research project under supervision or to complete a study-relevant internship.
Preparation of the master鈥檚 thesis in the fourth semester is accompanied by an examination colloquium.
| Semester | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Compulsory modules | Introductory Module (10 LP) | Module "Research and Debates (10 LP) Methods (10 LP) Thematic Module III: Society and Culture (10 LP) | Field Module (Home Track) (30 LP) Internship or Reseach Project | Master Thesis (30 LP) |
- An interest in current social and political development processes
- Enjoyment of interdisciplinary discourse and international exchange
- A basic knowledge of the theories and methods of religious studies and social sciences
- The ability to persevere with exploring an object of research intensively and to thoroughly read specialised texts
- A good command of English
- Scientific work, creativity, a structured and critical mind-set
- Universities, higher education institutions and non-university research institutes
- Science policy and management
- Adult education, trade unions
- Media, journalism, publishing
- Cultural management, cultural mediation, marketing, public relations
- Political consulting
- International government institutions and non-governmental organisations (NGOs)
- Foundations with an international orientation
- Archives, libraries and museums
Admission Requirements
An undergraduate degree in a related field of study, such as
- Study of Religion / Values and Norms as subject in the Interdisciplinary Bachelor鈥檚 Degree Programme (Bachelor of Arts)
- Social Sciences (Bachelor of Arts)
- Political Science (Bachelor of Arts)
- Politics as subject in the Interdisciplinary Bachelor鈥檚 Degree Programme (Bachelor of Arts)
OR a Bachelor''s degree or equivalent degree in a religious studies or sociology programme or subject. Alternatively, a Bachelor''s degree or equivalent degree in a cultural or social science field of study (primarily anthropology, ethnology, history, cultural studies, Jewish studies, Islamic studies, political science, a regional science as well as comparable courses of study abroad with a corresponding foreign language designation) with proof of in-depth knowledge of content relevant to the study of religions.
For master's degree programmes with restricted admission, places shall be allocated according to the university鈥檚 own selection procedure, if there are more applicants fulfilling the admission requirements than there are places available. The exact admission requirements can be found in the admission regulations:
Application Deadlines
First-year students from Germany and the EU
- 1 June 鈥� 15 July of the year for the winter semester
First-year students from non-EU countries (VPD from uni-assist is required)
- 15 April 鈥� 31 May of the year for the winter semester
Students resuming their studies and transfer students from Germany and the EU (application in a higher semester)
- 1 June 鈥� 15 July of the year for the winter semester
- 1 December 鈥� 15 January of the year for the summer semester
Students resuming their studies and transfer students from non-EU countries (application in a higher semester, VPD from uni-assist is required)
- 15 April 鈥� 31 May of the year for the winter semester
- 15 October 鈥� 30 November of the previous year for the summer semester
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